Professional and technical information for population programs

Abstract

This paper reviews technical publication programs, libraries, and other activities that produce, store, and distribute professional and technical information in support of population/family planning programs, and discusses some of the key audiences and program uses for this type of information. To meet professional/technical information needs, a large number of relevant activities have been developed in the population field, including "in-house' libraries, special clearinghouses, and information analysis centers that prepare "state-of-the-art" compilations. In addition, several countries have initiated programs in research utilization. The authors trace the development of networks linking various population information sources at national, regional, and global levels and examine the several bibliographic retrieval systems (mainly developed at U. S. universities) that search computerized data bases and endeavor to serve the needs of developing country programs. The authors identify gaps and problems in current population information services such as uneven distribution of information, inadequate information about information, the need for transformation of information for certain key audiences, and excessive dominance of academic styles and approaches. The paper concludes with some guidelines for a comprehensive population information service.